Care collectives in urban neighbourhoods: an ethnographic study of older Anglo-Indians in Calcutta

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how “others” – such as shopkeepers, domestic workers, drivers and security guards – contribute to the everyday support networks of older Anglo-Indian adults in urban neighbourhoods of Calcutta. It aims to highlight the forms of informal assistance that extend beyond family, friends, neighbours and formal caregivers, which are usually emphasised in gerontological research. This study also seeks to understand how digital technologies like WhatsApp and digital payment systems mediate these support relationships. By focusing on digitally enabled neighbourhood interactions, this research broadens existing perspectives on ageing and care in urban environments. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a qualitative ethnographic methodology to examine everyday support networks of older Anglo-Indian adults in urban neighbourhoods of Calcutta. Data were collected through in-depth ethnographic interviews and participant observation with 15 older Anglo-Indian households in Picnic Garden and Ripon Street. This research focused on daily interactions between older adults and non-kin neighbourhood actors such as shopkeepers, domestic workers, drivers and security guards. Special attention was given to how digital platforms, particularly WhatsApp and digital payment systems, mediate these interactions. Field notes and interview narratives were thematically analysed to identify patterns of informal support and digitally mediated care practices. Findings This study finds that “others” such as shopkeepers, domestic workers drivers and security guards play a crucial role in the everyday support networks of older Anglo-Indian adults in Calcutta. These individuals regularly assist with practical needs like buying medicines, groceries and ready-made food, often coordinated through WhatsApp and digital payment platforms. Digital communication strengthens these informal ties by enabling quick requests and responses. In some cases, these helpers also guide older adults in using smartphones and online services. The findings show that neighbourhood-based, non-kin relationships are essential for daily care, extending support beyond family, friends, neighbours and formal caregivers in digitally connected urban settings. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in shifting analytical attention from conventional support figures – such as family, friends, neighbours and formal caregivers – to “others” embedded in everyday neighbourhood life, including shopkeepers, domestic workers, drivers and security guards. While gerontological research has largely overlooked these actors, this paper demonstrates their central role in sustaining daily living for older Anglo-Indian adults in urban Calcutta. It further innovates by showing how these relationships are increasingly mediated through digital platforms like WhatsApp and digital payment systems, revealing how informal care and technological practices intersect. By combining neighbourhood ethnography with digital mediation, this study offers a new framework for understanding ageing, care and community in contemporary urban contexts.